Why did you become a Freemason?

Subject: Why I Joined Freemasonry
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:54:59 -0400
From: "Noel Wenrich" <noel_wenrich@elanco.k12.pa.us>
To: <masonry-ask@mit.edu>

Dear Brother Dryfoos:

There are many things I could say about the fraternity and the brotherhood that I found there. But the question is why did I become a Free Mason. I had considered becoming a freemason from the time I turned 21 it took me until I turned 36 to join. I had met men that I knew were masons and they were all good men but they never asked me if I was interested in Masonry. I now know why.

I had heard all the nasty old rumors from church and other places, so I never investigated, I was operating out of ignorance instead of knowledge. That is, until one fateful day I participated in a conversation with two men that I respected at work. They were talking about the ageing of the fraternity and the fact that young men were not joining their ranks. I asked them to tell me about their fraternity and they filled me in on basics. I asked how do I get recommended for membership and they replied I just said the magic words. I was balloted and accepted two months later after being interviewed by three experienced brothers.

On the day I was made a Master Mason I walked into the lodge to find two of my uncles in the lodge, I had never seen them with anything Masonic before that day. I became a Master Mason and asked them why they never told me they were Masons their reply was "you never asked." I found out that my Grandfather was a Mason, he died while I was very young, and my mother who told my uncles that I was becoming a mason, was a rainbow girl, boy did I give her an earful that weekend. My uncles belong to different lodges but we all belong to the same consistory.

I have met many good men through the lodge and we all volunteer for different things. You get out of Masonry what you put in. the Brothers that I have had the privilege of working with on volunteer projects are looking for recognition. They do it for the love of their fellow man. There is no greater organization that you can associate with than brothers in the craft. Out of town and your car breaks down call a lodge a brother will help you out if possible. If you need anything ask a brother if it is in his power to help he will.

Making good men better? Absolutely I am a better man because of my affiliation in the Blue lodge and my work there. I am now a line officer and will continue to give back to the Fraternity that has made me a better man.

With brotherly love
Noel Wenrich 32°
Lodge 43
Lancaster PA

Noel Wenrich
Technology Specialist
ELANCO School District
(717) 354-1532

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke